Although insignificant in the grand scheme of things, the moment could have easily been a metaphor for the rapid development of Alabama's rebuilt defense.

Late in the second quarter of the Crimson Tide's 57-7 demolition of Arkansas State on Saturday, safety Xavier McKinney foiled a fourth-and-1 play by the Red Wolves. Charging in on a blitz, the sophomore defensive back read quarterback Justice Hansen's eyes and nearly snatched his screen pass as soon as it left his hand. But on his way to a certain touchdown, he bobbled the ball and watched it fall to the turf.

"I dropped it," McKinney said afterwards, with a look of chagrin. "But it's all good."

In many ways, McKinney could feel that way because deep down he understood he arrived at the right place faster than anyone could have imagined. In other words, he was ahead of schedule -- just like the defense for which he plays.

Less than five months since seven starters were drafted off a unit that held opponents to an FBS-best average of 11.9 points per game last season, Alabama has managed to be even stingier through the first two games of 2018 by surrendering only three touchdowns in eight quarters of action.

"I think we're growing good as a defensive unit," McKinney said. "I think we're all working together pretty well. I think it's coming along pretty well for us. I know people say we might be inexperienced and we've got a lot of young guys out there."

But, to complete McKinney's thought, it doesn't seem to matter. Alabama continues to be the football version of a boa constrictor in an age of high-powered offenses. Bobby Petrino's Pro-Style system at Louisville didn't stand a chance. Neither did the up-tempo, spread attack that has made Blake Anderson and Arkansas State a success at the Group of Five level.

Together, the Red Wolves and Cardinals had 29 possessions against Alabama. They scored just three times and converted only eight of their 33 third-down opportunities.

After Alabama made mincemeat of Arkansas State, Nick Saban, the Crimson Tide's persnickety coach, struggled to find much wrong with the performance, although he did his best to try.

"They tricked us on the quarterback throwback," Saban said, "which was a big play for them."

In the literal sense, it was. It resulted in a 25-yard gain early in the third quarter and helped the Red Wolves reach the end zone for the first and only time during the one-sided affair.

Of course, context matters and in this case Arkansas State's highlight transpired with Alabama holding a 40-point lead created, in part, by a defense that has flashed the kind of playmaking ability that has surpassed expectations.

After Shyheim Carter returned an interception for a touchdown against Louisville, Saivion Smith accomplished the same feat in the second quarter on Saturday, grabbing Hansen's pass and taking it 38 yards to the end zone.

"Considerably the best team I've seen in pads or on film in a long time," Anderson said after the rout was complete.

In these parts, it looks quite familiar, especially on the defensive side -- the sector of the squad that most thought would take time to develop.

But as McKinney explained after the game, it appears the progress made from Alabama's three-man front, all the way back to its secondary, has been marked.

"I think everything is coming together," the safety said.

Faster than anyone could have anticipated.

Rainer Sabin is an Alabama beat writer for the Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @RainerSabin